Loku Festival is a tribal festival of the Naga Nocte, a major tribe of
Tirap district of
Arunachal Pradesh. 'Loku' means to 'drive out the old season or year.' The Naga Nocte celebrate the festival to appease Rang god for socio-cultural and socio-economic well being. Loku Festival has close associations with agricultural activities.
Loku festival is celebrated for a period of three days with the villagers drinking rice beer, dancing and performing other religious rituals. Animal sacrifice is an important part of this celebration. The first day rituals are marked by the sacrifice of buffaloes, pigs and fowls for offering community feast. The village elders and youth dress in their best traditional attires.
Pontasa is a ritual ceremony performed on the second day attended only by the village elders and youth. This ritual is led by the village chief to the altar for offering religious sacrifice. The third day functions conclude with the village elders, along with the Chief of the village selecting the new jhum field. Women folk are not allowed to take part in the rituals as it is a social taboo for them.
Young boys and damsels dance from one house to another dressed traditionally. Married couples pay visit to their relatives and parental houses.
